Sichuan & Yangtze Delights

Fly overnight to Chongqing. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Travel by road to Dazu, home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Dazu Rock Carvings. Here, you will find thousands of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist idols and symbols carved into the rock faces across 70 sites. Made between the 9th-13th-centuries, these rock carvings are some of the best preserved in China. Enjoy the day in Dazu before returning to Chongqing.

Travel to Wulong, an area of stunning natural scenery and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend time strolling through the national park walking amongst the dramatic karst landscapes that include the naturally formed stone bridges, narrow gorges and limestone formations. Here, visit the Three Bridges National Park and Fairy Mountain. Stay overnight in Wulong.

Return to Chongqing and begin the day by heading to Hongyadong, an 11-storey, 75-metre high stilt house that has been built alongside a steep bank of the Jialing River. Also included is a visit to E'ling Park – a beautiful green oasis in the heart of Yuzhon District that overlooks the metropolis of Chongqing city below. Enjoy a hot pot dinner, before boarding your Yangtze River cruise vessel for a three-night stay.

As you cruise downstream, it's time to relax and let nature take over, revealing some of the worlds most dramatic scenery including the Three Gorges themselves. Over the next two days, take a side trip to the attractive Shennong or Goddess Steam and enjoy various shore excursions.

Disembark the cruise vessel in Yichang and visit the Three Gorges Dam, a man-made marvel and a massive feat of engineering. Later, travel by bullet train to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

Begin the day with a visit to Chengdu's famous panda reserve to see the bears playing and chomping bamboo in surroundings that mirror their natural habitat as well as learn about the breeding programme at the conservation centre. Later, board the bullet train to the former imperial capital of Xian.

After their fortuitous discovery in the 1970s, the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, has intrigued visitors ever since. Spend the morning viewing the enigmatic ranks of life-sized warriors and horses. Also visit the workshop of the craftsmen who recreate terracotta warriors in the style of their ancient counterparts. Watch the skilled production process and even buy a souvenir to take home. Later, take a leisurely stroll on the beautifully preserved 14th-century city walls that enclose Xian's old town. In the evening, feast on Shui Jiao dumplings followed by a Tang Dynasty show.

Begin the day by travelling on the bullet train to Beijing, the capital of China. Later, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the warren-like hutongs and visit a local family to gain a deeper insight into daily life in the hutongs.

This morning is dedicated to China's most iconic sight – the Great Wall. Taking a walk on this incredible structure is the best way to appreciate both the sheer magnificence of the wall itself and the dramatic scenery that it crosses. Also visit a jade factory and enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Summer Palace as you wander through traditional Chinese gardens and view the exquisite architecture. End the day watching a Chinese acrobatic show.

Begin the day soaking up the harmonious ambience of the Temple of Heaven, an orderly oasis in a bustling urban landscape, where you can watch the locals as they mingle, dance and play cards. In the afternoon, head to Tiananmen Square, Beijing's symbolic heart, and into the sprawling magnificence of the Forbidden City. Entering through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, you will find a complex full of imperial riches. This evening, savour Beijing's best-known delicacy – Peking duck.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.